There are quite a few members of the Vikings D that had bad games, and Sendejo was one of them. Barr was another but Im getting kind of used to that by now. I thought Kendricks had a good day, but he too wasnt perfect. One of these days Barr has GOT to stop over pursing. Its happening quite a few times a game. And the people that aernt worried about Forbath, why? Dont you remember Walsh. Its the exact same story. He went from hitting everything, to not being able to make chip shots. Thats all in kickers heads.

Since when did missing a 54 yard FG classify as missing a "chip shot"??

Did I say the 54 yard miss was a chip shot? No, the FG he misses are. And a good kicker can make a 54 yarder. We dont have a good kicker though. Stop putting words in peoples mouths and calling their post ignorant, or absurd. Its like personal attacks, yet you keep getting away with them.

Again, Washington, Cleveland and Houston all have awful WRs outside of Hopkins. So again, who do those guys have to compete with?? Nobody. Who does Treadwell have? Thielen and Diggs. They are all drawing #1/#2 targets every game. Treadwell draws less than both our top WRs and obviously Rudy. So he's seeing around the 4th most targets of anyone. The guys above are all seeing top 2. HUGE difference

I think the point might be that a 1st round draft pick WR in his second year is a #3 or #4 choice to an undrafted player (Thielen), a 5th rounder (Diggs) and a 4th rounder (Wright). I call that a bust. A 1st round pick is supposed to make an impact.

_________________*********
A die-hard Vikings fan in South Florida

Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:17 pm

halfgiz

All Pro Elite Player

Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:38 pmPosts: 1707

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

I think that the coaches like Treadwell's blocking. He is just having a tough time getting passes.Thielen has 1100 yardsDiggs 700 yardsRudy 500 yardsAnd Wright seems to be getting the niche as the tough yards, go to guy.How many games has Keenum hit 9 different recievers?

I think on lesser team Treadwell could be a # 2 guy.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 5:25 pm

PacificNorseWest

Career Elite Player

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:10 amPosts: 2360Location: Seattle, Wa

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

The first couple of games or so, what clearly stood out was the Vikings trying to get Treadwell the ball on those jumpball type throws or deep balls. I was disappointed in the results of those plays, but not because it was anything bad on Treadwell's part, but because it's something you won't see in the boxscore. He drew penalties and forced the issue...It didn't result in a catch, but it told me that some DB's have troubles being physical with Treadwell and he can exploit certain matchups. As said, he's a standout blocker...So far it's things that do not translate to the boxscore mainly, but I think that changes soon. He's the kind of guy that has a career game in ohh, saayyy, January.

Good Morning Football, I mean. I really like that show normally (mostly because I'm in love with Kay Adams, but I digress). Knock on them today.

I like the show too. Kay is pretty, but I get too much of a "sister" vibe from her to find her attractive, although I'd hang out and watch football with her because she seems pretty fun. And Nate always has a soft spot for the Vikings.

Yikes. I mean, the numbers aren't bad for #3 receivers. But you don't draft #3 guys in the middle of round 1. Well, in the past it seemed to take most receivers three years to "get it", so we'll see how it looks after the 2018 season, I guess.

I mentioned this in the game thread but it should be repeated. The last time a team won 3 consecutive road games against .500+ teams was in the 1960's. It was a tough stretch and the Vikings didn't come out that badly. It does suck when a team beats themselves but absent long-term injuries, I think we'll be okay. Honestly, rest Reiff and Elflein as long as needed so they're good to go for the playoffs. We should be able to beat Cin, GB, and Chi down a guy or two.

Sell: Winning back to back to back road games against .500 or better teams. I was watching the NFL Network pregame show this morning, and they mentioned that the last time a team won all three back to back to back road games against teams above .500 (excluding playoffs), it was the Oakland Raiders. In 1967. Winning in the NFL is tough. Winning games against good teams is tougher. Winning them on their field is even more difficult still, and even with today’s loss, the Vikings are still 5-2 on the road with one road trip left to Green Bay in two weeks.

And when you think of it, we really were pretty close - tied at the two minute warning.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:28 pm

J. Kapp 11

Hall of Famer

Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:57 pmPosts: 6853

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

John_Viveiros wrote:

J. Kapp 11 wrote:

Good Morning Football, I mean. I really like that show normally (mostly because I'm in love with Kay Adams, but I digress). Knock on them today.

I like the show too. Kay is pretty, but I get too much of a "sister" vibe from her to find her attractive, although I'd hang out and watch football with her because she seems pretty fun. And Nate always has a soft spot for the Vikings.

Different strokes for ... oh wait, that sounded kinda bad, given the context.

Her eyes make me melt.

I like the cast in general, though. I guess for one, they're all pretty much bullish on the Vikings. That always helps. And I hate to admit it, but Nate Burleson is pretty fly on TV. True style, well-spoken, knowledgeable, good-lookin' dude. He's solid, which is, I'm guessing, why they bumped him up to the studio show on NBC for Sunday Nights. The others are good, too. I'd much rather watch GMF than that blowhard Deion Sanders.

_________________Go ahead. I dare you.Underestimate this man.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:56 pm

PacificNorseWest

Career Elite Player

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:10 amPosts: 2360Location: Seattle, Wa

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

GMFB the best morning sports show out right now...too bad I rarely get to watch it though.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:10 pm

Pondering Her Percy

Hall of Fame Inductee

Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:38 amPosts: 4921Location: Watertown, NY

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

soflavike wrote:

[

I think the point might be that a 1st round draft pick WR in his second year is a #3 or #4 choice to an undrafted player (Thielen), a 5th rounder (Diggs) and a 4th rounder (Wright). I call that a bust. A 1st round pick is supposed to make an impact.

So that’s people basing it off of draft pedigree which is the wrong way to go by it IMO. Thielen is one of the best WRs in the nfl. Diggs is very good. If they’re that good, who cares when they were drafted. Bottom line is, they’re the best WR tandem in the league and were able to come on when given opportunity. Diggs in 2015 and AT in 2016. No less they didn’t have much competition in front of them when they did it.

Yeah Diggs is a 5th rounder. When he got here, who did he have to compete with?? Mike Wallace (who was awful here)? Charles Johnson?? Patterson?? There was next to no competition.

What about Thielen last year?? Diggs was set. A rookie in Treadwell? Wright? Patterson? Not much competition either for AT.

He didn’t have much of a shot when Diggs and Thielen in the fold. That doesn’t warrant a bust

_________________

Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:12 pm

808vikingsfan

Hall of Fame Candidate

Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:45 pmPosts: 3220Location: Hawaii

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

J. Kapp 11 wrote:

John_Viveiros wrote:

J. Kapp 11 wrote:

Good Morning Football, I mean. I really like that show normally (mostly because I'm in love with Kay Adams, but I digress). Knock on them today.

I like the show too. Kay is pretty, but I get too much of a "sister" vibe from her to find her attractive, although I'd hang out and watch football with her because she seems pretty fun. And Nate always has a soft spot for the Vikings.

Different strokes for ... oh wait, that sounded kinda bad, given the context.

Her eyes make me melt.

I like the cast in general, though. I guess for one, they're all pretty much bullish on the Vikings. That always helps. And I hate to admit it, but Nate Burleson is pretty fly on TV. True style, well-spoken, knowledgeable, good-lookin' dude. He's solid, which is, I'm guessing, why they bumped him up to the studio show on NBC for Sunday Nights. The others are good, too. I'd much rather watch GMF than that blowhard Deion Sanders.

So that’s people basing it off of draft pedigree which is the wrong way to go by it IMO. Thielen is one of the best WRs in the nfl. Diggs is very good. If they’re that good, who cares when they were drafted. Bottom line is, they’re the best WR tandem in the league and were able to come on when given opportunity. Diggs in 2015 and AT in 2016. No less they didn’t have much competition in front of them when they did it.

Yeah Diggs is a 5th rounder. When he got here, who did he have to compete with?? Mike Wallace (who was awful here)? Charles Johnson?? Patterson?? There was next to no competition.

What about Thielen last year?? Diggs was set. A rookie in Treadwell? Wright? Patterson? Not much competition either for AT.

He didn’t have much of a shot when Diggs and Thielen in the fold. That doesn’t warrant a bust

You get way too worked up over someone's opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, including you, but you go way overboard defending your opinion and trying to invalidate theirs. Chill out - not worth getting all worked up over.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:09 pm

Pondering Her Percy

Hall of Fame Inductee

Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:38 amPosts: 4921Location: Watertown, NY

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

Purple Reign wrote:

Pondering Her Percy wrote:

soflavike wrote:

So that’s people basing it off of draft pedigree which is the wrong way to go by it IMO. Thielen is one of the best WRs in the nfl. Diggs is very good. If they’re that good, who cares when they were drafted. Bottom line is, they’re the best WR tandem in the league and were able to come on when given opportunity. Diggs in 2015 and AT in 2016. No less they didn’t have much competition in front of them when they did it.

Yeah Diggs is a 5th rounder. When he got here, who did he have to compete with?? Mike Wallace (who was awful here)? Charles Johnson?? Patterson?? There was next to no competition.

What about Thielen last year?? Diggs was set. A rookie in Treadwell? Wright? Patterson? Not much competition either for AT.

He didn’t have much of a shot when Diggs and Thielen in the fold. That doesn’t warrant a bust

You get way too worked up over someone's opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, including you, but you go way overboard defending your opinion and trying to invalidate theirs. Chill out - not worth getting all worked up over.

Not worked up nor am I going overboard. I just simply put things into perspective with my last post.

Some fans don’t look at it that way. They just think “1st round pick, low numbers....bust”. That’s not a bust. Period. Look at the busts of this league over the years. Given opportunities and failed. He’s yet to get those opportunities nor has he dropped balls or failed to get open. There are at least a couple games where he was literally wide open and wasn’t thrown to.

Ryan Leaf is a bust. Jamarcus Russell is a bust. Ponder is a bust. Williamson is a bust. Laquon Treadwell is not a bust until he is given the opportunity to be one. And my guess is when he’s given that opportunity, he’ll show he’s not. The kid has talent. He was the best WR in college football for a reason. Torched Bama for a reason. Nobody can sit here and say he can’t run routes like we did with Patterson. Nobody can say he has bad hands. Nobody can say he can’t create separation. Nobody can question his work ethic given he’s the last one off the practice field every day. Nobody can say he’s been given plenty of opportunity. Etc. Until we can say those things he’s not a bust IMO.

Ponder started. Ponder had plenty of opportunity (more than he should have), Ponder often played badly. Ponder had a weak arm. Ponder didn’t have much pocket awareness. Ponder couldn’t go through reads. THATS A BUST.

Troy Williamson started. Williamson had plenty of opportunity. Williamson caught under 50% of the balls thrown to him. Williamson had HORRIBLE hands. Williamson was very weak and was bullied by DBs. Williamson was a poor interior route runner. Williamson was a soft WR. THATS A BUST.

See the difference? I sure do. Nobody has to believe it but I’ve laid it all on the line. If you don’t see the difference between Treadwell and a bust and what it actually is, then I don’t know what else to tell you. Simple as that. Think what you want. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but please know and understand what a bust is before throwing it all over the board that’s all. The same has been said for Waynes. Go look at CB busts. They sure weren’t performing the way Waynes is. Much much worse.

The word bust is like the word elite. It’s often overused and many don’t understand what either mean. It’s happened way too often on here

_________________

Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:41 pm

PacificNorseWest

Career Elite Player

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:10 amPosts: 2360Location: Seattle, Wa

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

I, for one, love PHP's enthusiasm. He knows his #### too....subjective in response, but I see it objective in nature. Refreshing, really.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:15 pm

Purple Reign

All Pro Elite Player

Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:17 pmPosts: 1258Location: St. Paul, MN

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

Pondering Her Percy wrote:

Purple Reign wrote:

Not worked up nor am I going overboard. I just simply put things into perspective with my last post.

Some fans don’t look at it that way. They just think “1st round pick, low numbers....bust”. That’s not a bust. Period. Look at the busts of this league over the years. Given opportunities and failed. He’s yet to get those opportunities nor has he dropped balls or failed to get open. There are at least a couple games where he was literally wide open and wasn’t thrown to.

Ryan Leaf is a bust. Jamarcus Russell is a bust. Ponder is a bust. Williamson is a bust. Laquon Treadwell is not a bust until he is given the opportunity to be one. And my guess is when he’s given that opportunity, he’ll show he’s not. The kid has talent. He was the best WR in college football for a reason. Torched Bama for a reason. Nobody can sit here and say he can’t run routes like we did with Patterson. Nobody can say he has bad hands. Nobody can say he can’t create separation. Nobody can question his work ethic given he’s the last one off the practice field every day. Nobody can say he’s been given plenty of opportunity. Etc. Until we can say those things he’s not a bust IMO.

Ponder started. Ponder had plenty of opportunity (more than he should have), Ponder often played badly. Ponder had a weak arm. Ponder didn’t have much pocket awareness. Ponder couldn’t go through reads. THATS A BUST.

Troy Williamson started. Williamson had plenty of opportunity. Williamson caught under 50% of the balls thrown to him. Williamson had HORRIBLE hands. Williamson was very weak and was bullied by DBs. Williamson was a poor interior route runner. Williamson was a soft WR. THATS A BUST.

See the difference? I sure do. Nobody has to believe it but I’ve laid it all on the line. If you don’t see the difference between Treadwell and a bust and what it actually is, then I don’t know what else to tell you. Simple as that. Think what you want. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but please know and understand what a bust is before throwing it all over the board that’s all. The same has been said for Waynes. Go look at CB busts. They sure weren’t performing the way Waynes is. Much much worse.

The word bust is like the word elite. It’s often overused and many don’t understand what either mean. It’s happened way too often on here

You just proved my point, if that's not going overboard you don't understand the word. You have made your point numerous times but you keep repeating it and keep telling us that we don't know what a bust is. It's just a personal opinion and your opinion isn't any more valid than anyone else's, so please, give it a rest - we know what your opinion is.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:24 pm

Purple Reign

All Pro Elite Player

Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:17 pmPosts: 1258Location: St. Paul, MN

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

PacificNorseWest wrote:

I, for one, love PHP's enthusiasm. He knows his #### too....subjective in response, but I see it objective in nature. Refreshing, really.

There is a fine line between enthusiasm and being repetitive. Plus he isn't very diplomatic when he disagrees with someone. Sorry, but he comes off like his opinion is the only one that should count and I don't find that very refreshing.

Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:28 pm

PacificNorseWest

Career Elite Player

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:10 amPosts: 2360Location: Seattle, Wa

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

I'm not going to defend the guy that hard, but people have a real a hard time separating being a fan and really understanding football. The latter of which PHP understands. He may not be eloquent in his points, but there are only a few of us that look and understand the game at a deeper level beyond just what a homer would see. Not implying any of this is you, but I've been around here just long enough to see some of the bs I make fun of Seahawk fans for. We all get in heated debates; it's fun -- at least, it is for me. I understand the repetitiveness because a lot of it never sinks in despite its validity. It's just that people hate when they can't equally validate their side of things. Just how it goes. *shrugs*

Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:38 pm

PurpleMustReign

Starting Wide Receiver

Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 5:48 pmPosts: 18250Location: Crystal, MN

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

Purple Reign wrote:

PacificNorseWest wrote:

I, for one, love PHP's enthusiasm. He knows his #### too....subjective in response, but I see it objective in nature. Refreshing, really.

There is a fine line between enthusiasm and being repetitive. Plus he isn't very diplomatic when he disagrees with someone. Sorry, but he comes off like his opinion is the only one that should count and I don't find that very refreshing.

I agree with this. At times he gets excited. I would like to see him tone it down a bit because it sounds like he is flat out arguing, which I assume he isn't.

We're starting to discuss the individual rather than the content of his posts. Lets move away from that.

_________________"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." - Mike Tyson

Tue Dec 12, 2017 8:16 am

Pondering Her Percy

Hall of Fame Inductee

Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:38 amPosts: 4921Location: Watertown, NY

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

Purple Reign wrote:

PacificNorseWest wrote:

I, for one, love PHP's enthusiasm. He knows his #### too....subjective in response, but I see it objective in nature. Refreshing, really.

There is a fine line between enthusiasm and being repetitive. Plus he isn't very diplomatic when he disagrees with someone. Sorry, but he comes off like his opinion is the only one that should count and I don't find that very refreshing.

Like PNW said, I make sure there is validity behind what I say just about every time I post. I do understand the game and whats behind the game. I study and read on it like crazy. Not only do I know this team like the back of my hand but I am very familiar with all 31 others. There are a lot of guys on here that are the same way. Yes, I come across as a little more combative than others. I get that. That's just me, it's nothing personal. If I'm being repetitive then that's my fault. But at the same time, when someone comes on here and just says "Treadwell is a bust" but has nothing to back it with, then that's what I address. Listen, I'll be the first to admit, I've been proved wrong on here many of times over the years. I own up to it. I have no problem admitting it. But at least provide me some proof behind a comment like that.

I UNDERSTAND everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I GET it. But please back your opinion up with something. I mean someone said earlier "Treadwell is slow and cant run routes". I've heard crickets since I addressed it. A comment like that is just out of frustration, it has no validity behind it, no source, nothing.

This whole Treadwell thing, I laid it all on the line. I explained in detail why his situation is the way it is. I've pulled from just about every source I could over the past few years. Spielman talks him up, Zim talks him up, Hazell talks him up saying he's been "amazing". You cant find a bad thing on the guy. That tells me he's putting in the work. He's doing what he needs to in practice. But like I said in the other thread, name me a first round WR in the last 3 years that could currently play over Thielen or Diggs?? If you cant name one then what could Laquon Treadwell (with little opportunity) possibly do to surpass Thielen and Diggs given how they've played this year??? That is my point. If Laquon Treadwell turns into a starter and absolutely sucks, then I'll be the first to eat crow but nobody on here, literally not one person, can say he's gotten the opportunity and has failed. You literally CAN NOT say that and that's what I am trying to get fans to understand.

I dont hate anyones opinion, I dont think anyones opinion is dumb, we're all entitled to our own but if fans are going to throw the word "bust" around on here, just please try to understand what a bust is and provide some validity behind your posts. Take a close look at the busts of the NFL over the years. Just about every one of them has gotten plenty of opportunities. And every one of them has failed. Until Laquon Treadwell is given that opportunity to fail, then I dont know how anyone could say that with any kind of validity

I wouldn't be surprised if Treadwell becomes Trade Bait at some point. He has made some decent plays this year when the ball has come his way, that catch on the slant on Sunday was a thing of beauty. But to PHP's point, Thielen and Diggs are just too good to not start.

_________________Winning is not a sometime thing it is an all of the time thing - Vince Lombardi

Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:40 am

Pondering Her Percy

Hall of Fame Inductee

Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:38 amPosts: 4921Location: Watertown, NY

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

mansquatch wrote:

I wouldn't be surprised if Treadwell becomes Trade Bait at some point. He has made some decent plays this year when the ball has come his way, that catch on the slant on Sunday was a thing of beauty. But to PHP's point, Thielen and Diggs are just too good to not start.

Yes I could see him as trade bait for sure. Unless Diggs or AT fizzle out which I dont really see. It will also depend on Diggs contract. If he takes one with us, LT is probably gone. If he doesnt, Diggs walks and LT stays. Dont forget about his one hander against GB too! Probably the catch of the year for the Vikes.

I don't know if anybody else has mentioned this, but I have a theory that the defense is saving their best stuff for January. In years past, we saw more double A gap looks and we've seen less of those this year. I think that last year (much like Kansas City offensively this year) we blew our load in September. We were throwing everything we had at teams because we needed to if we wanted to win, and while we saw immediate returns, we were exposed down the stretch.

This year, I'm HOPING we're saving some plays we have a lot of faith in for our most desperate moments, and I'm hoping we'll see a spike like we saw in the first 5 games last year.

I will 100% admit to this being heavily influenced by wishful thinking, but I do think there is merit to the idea. It's hard for me to believe we went from a dominant defense to a merely good one by losing Captain Munnerlyn.

Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:38 pm

mansquatch

Hall of Fame Candidate

Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:44 pmPosts: 3388Location: Coon Rapids, MN

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

DK I like you're type of wishful thinking!

I wonder if some of it is how well the offense has played this year. There haven't been many games where they've things have been tight, which has allowed them to east off in the 4Q and just eat up clock playing Cover 2 shell. Just conjecture on my part.

More importantly the need to bounce back hard against CIN this week and then prepare to drub the Packers straight out of the playoff picture on the 23rd.

_________________Winning is not a sometime thing it is an all of the time thing - Vince Lombardi

Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:53 pm

808vikingsfan

Hall of Fame Candidate

Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:45 pmPosts: 3220Location: Hawaii

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

Here's the NFC playoff scenario going into week 15

Quote:

2017 Week 15 Comprehensive NFC Playoff Picture

This is the comprehensive playoff picture for the NFC for Week 15 (the AFC post will be up on Wednesday). It is a combination of clinching scenarios, elimination scenarios, the possible seeds each team could still get, as well as the seed that each team controls.

We finally had our first playoff berth clinched last week, with PHI clinching the NFC East division title. Things didn't go so well for the other teams. LAR needed 6 games to go their way in order to clinch a playoff berth, and exactly 0 went their way. MIN could have clinched with a win/tie or both DET loss/tie + GB loss/tie, but instead all 3 games went against them (MIN lost, DET won, GB won). Ignoring Strength of Victory scenarios, NO also had every possible game go against them.

This week, thanks to all of the other division leaders losing, PHI can clinch the 1 seed this week. MIN and LAR have another opportunity to clinch berths this week. After failing to clinch last week, NO does not have a clinching scenario this week. On the other hand, things are starting to look grim for all the teams that have fewer than 8 wins. We have elimination scenarios for DAL, DET, GB, and ARI.

Enjoy, and feel free to ask me any questions you have about this post or any other tiebreaker or scenario questions you might have! I will respond to every question (related to the post) as soon as I am able.

Reading this post:For each team, the listing begins with team name followed by a list of numbers in square brackets. These numbers are the possible seeds the team could still obtain. If E is listed, then that means the team could still be eliminated from the playoffs as well. One of those numbers (or E) will have parentheses around it. That is the seed that the team "controls." The seed that a team controls is the worst seed the team could possibly get if they win out. They could end up with a better seed, but they can't end up with a worse one if they win out. If the parentheses are around the E, then that means the team could still miss the playoffs even if they win out. If an E is all that is left in the list, then that means the team is eliminated from the playoffs.

Dang I didn't know Philly can clinch the #1 seed this week. I assume the Vikings need to lose in that scenario?

Tue Dec 12, 2017 2:52 pm

S197

Fenrir

Joined: Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:28 pmPosts: 10986Location: Hawaii

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

DK Sweets wrote:

I don't know if anybody else has mentioned this, but I have a theory that the defense is saving their best stuff for January. In years past, we saw more double A gap looks and we've seen less of those this year. I think that last year (much like Kansas City offensively this year) we blew our load in September. We were throwing everything we had at teams because we needed to if we wanted to win, and while we saw immediate returns, we were exposed down the stretch.

This year, I'm HOPING we're saving some plays we have a lot of faith in for our most desperate moments, and I'm hoping we'll see a spike like we saw in the first 5 games last year.

I will 100% admit to this being heavily influenced by wishful thinking, but I do think there is merit to the idea. It's hard for me to believe we went from a dominant defense to a merely good one by losing Captain Munnerlyn.

It seems like the defense is playing within the system on 1st and 2nd down for the most part and gets a bit more exotic on 3rd down. They seem to be content rushing four, corner inside leverage, and single high safety. Obviously they don't run it on every down but they run it quite a bit. The two big rovers are Smith and Barr, simply because they're able to cover so much ground at their respective positions.

I think the defense got exposed a bit last year when it was clear that they weren't as good in base 43 defense as they were in nickel. This may be part of the reason why they're not blitzing as much this year as they're doing more to take away the middle of the field.

Also, we've seen 3 road games in a row and the home crowd noise really helps this D. Typically they can show a look (such as the double A) then check out of it once the protection is set. By then it's hard for the QB to reset due to the crowd noise. This is probably one of the biggest advantages of home field. I wouldn't be surprised if this Sunday the defense looks a lot more exotic.

Tue Dec 12, 2017 3:03 pm

808vikingsfan

Hall of Fame Candidate

Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:45 pmPosts: 3220Location: Hawaii

Re: Week 14 Reaction Thread

Kalil's hold on Netwon's run. Question, is Griffen supposed to read the play or is he assigned to Stewart?

IIRC, on Stewarts run, Sendejo was the lone safety, and he followed Cam after the hand off then WAS NOT able to get back to tackle Stewart. .

You may be referencing a different run. When Stewart scored a TD on a 61 yard run, Sendejo went towards Cam to the opposite side of the field and was completely out of the play

Sendejo(#34) is last line of the defense right at the 50 and goes to his right towards Cam as stewart blows by him on his left side. Sendejo is nowhere close to making even an attempted tackle. Sendejo really bit on the play fake there and as the last guy, I do think he maybe should have stayed more center there, but don't know what his specific assignment is. Maybe he was supposed to really focus on shadowing camhttp://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss ... ard-TD-run